Integrating Basic Skills Education and Occupational Skills Training

A recent study found that students in Washington State's I-BEST program, a program in which occupational skills training is integrated with basic skills education to offer students a contextualized learning experience, had higher educational outcomes that non-I-BEST basic skills students. I-BEST students were more likely to continue on to credit-bearing courses, earn credits that "counted" toward a college credential, earn occupational certificates, and have increased learning gains.